Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia Takes Over as AOC-in-C, Eastern Air Command

Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia assumed charge as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of the Eastern Air Command (EAC), Indian Air Force, on February 1, 2026. His appointment comes under the spirit of ‘Har Kaam Desh Ke Naam’, reflecting continued commitment to service and operational excellence.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Air Marshal Walia was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on June 11, 1988. He is a highly experienced fighter pilot, qualified on multiple aircraft platforms including the MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-27, Jaguar and Su-30 MKI, with over 3,200 hours of accident- and incident-free flying to his credit.

Over a distinguished career spanning more than three decades, he has held several key command and staff appointments. He has commanded a MiG-27 Squadron, led the prestigious Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE), and served as Air Officer Commanding of a frontline air base. A Fighter Strike Leader and Instrument Rating Instructor and Examiner, he has also undergone the Advanced Command and Staff Course in the United Kingdom and the National Defence College in Bangladesh.

Air Marshal Walia has served as Defence Attaché at the Indian Embassies in Japan and South Korea and held important appointments including Air Commodore at the Directorate of Air Staff Inspection, Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Training) at Air Headquarters, and Air Defence Commander at Headquarters Western Air Command. Prior to his current role, he was the Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters Eastern Air Command.

In recognition of his exemplary service, he was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 2008 and the Ati Vishisht Sena Medal in 2018. He succeeds Air Marshal Surat Singh, who superannuated on January 31, 2026, after rendering 39 years of dedicated service to the nation.